The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-04-16
LINCOLN IN 1854.
The UnwOnted Seriousness Which He Dis
played During the Fall of That Yanr

The Unwonted Seriousness Which He Dis
played During the Fall of That Year.
But now new actor came forward
on the political stage in Central Hi
nois; or rather, an old favorite reap
peared. This was Abraham Lincoln.
Since his return to Springfield from his
single term in Congress, 1847 to 1849,
though by no means entirely withdrawn
from politics, his active work had been
greatly diminished. His Congressional
life had largely increased the horizon of
his observation. Perhaps it had also
extended the bounds of his ambition.
He had doubtless discovered many of
his own defects, and not unlikely had
diligently sought to remedy them. The
period following had for him been years
of work, study and reflection. His pro-
fession of law had become a deeper
science and higher responsibility His
practice, receiving his undivided atten-
ton, brought him more important and
more remunerative cases. Losing moth.
ing of his genial humor, his character
took on the dignity of a graver man.
hood. He was still the center and idol
of every social group he encountered,
whether on the street or in the parlor.
Serene and buoyant of temper, cordial
and winning of language, charitable
and tolerant of opinion, his very pres
ence diffused glow of confidence and
kindness. Wherever he went he left
an overwhelming ripple of smiles, iests
and laughter. His radiant good fellow
ship was beloved and sought alike by
political opponents and partisan friends,
His sturdy and delicate integrity, rec
ognized far and wide. had long since
won him the blunt but hearty sobriquet
of Honest Old Abe" But it became
noticeable that of late years he was less
among the crowd and more in the soil
tude of his Office or his study, and that
he seemed ever in haste to leave the
eager circle he was entertaining.
1t was in the midsummer of 1854 that
we find him reappearing on the stump
in Central Illinois. The rural popula-
ton always welcomed his oratory, made
up of ready wit, apt illustration, simple
statement, forcible logic. His diction
was familiar to the ear, his stories were
racy of the soil. He never lacked for
invitations to address the public
His first speeches on the new and
all-absorbing topic were made in the
neighboring towns, and in the counties
adjoining his own. Towards the end
of August the candidates for Congress
in that district were, in Western phrase,
''on the track" Yates, afterwards one
of the famous "war Governors sought
a reelection as a Wing. Harris rs a
Douglas-Democrat strove to supplant
him. Local politics became active, and
Lincoln was sent for in all directions to
address the people. When he went,
however, he distinctly announced that
he did not purpose to take up his time
with this personal and Congressional
controversy. His intention was to dis
cuss the principles of the Nebraska bill.
Once launched upon this theme men
were surprised to find him imbued with
a new and unwonted seriousness. They
heard from his lips fewer anecdotes and
more history. Careless listeners who
came to laugh at his jokes sat spell.
bound by the strong current of his rea-
soning and the flashes of his earnest
eloquence, and were lifted up by the
range and tenor of his argument into a
fresher and purer political atmosphere.
NicOLay and Hay, IN Century.